Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Milk

It's officially September and although the temps are still pretty spicy here, my mind is on the upcoming Fall season! As the seasons change, I'll be craving more warming, spiced foods so my lattes and smoothies will definitely include ingredients like ginger, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. In this recipe, I use the Almond Cow to create a plant-based milk alternative from pecans and pepitas (pumpkin seeds). The great thing about the almond cow is that it doesn't require extensive soaking and straining, making at home nut and seeds milks super easy. 

So, why make your own nut/seed milk?

1. Most plant based milks at the store have sneaky ingredients like thickening agents, preservatives and added sugar. For those of us with sensitive tummies, many of the gums used as thickeners can cause digestive issues (more digestive tips in the Good Gut Fuel E-Book).

2. Buying nut milks is expensive! By the time I can actually pin down a nut milk that has clean and simple ingredients, I usually have to question if it is even worth buying. With the amount I go through a week, I would have to spend a solid chunk of my grocery bill on nut milk or stress myself out rationing it like gold.

3. You can get creative! I can add any flavor, spices, nuts and seeds that I want and switch it up every week. So far I have made my own oat, coconut and now pumpkin seed/pecan milk with the Almond Cow! I can play around with flavors like chocolate, vanilla or even turmeric golden milk!

I love being able to control the ingredients and experiment with new combinations

The Almond Cow makes clean and delicious plant-based milk easy and affordable

I am loving the Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Milk in recipes like the Ginger Turmeric Pumpkin Smoothie, Creamy Vanilla Fig Oats and Adaptogenic Matcha Latte. To get $15 off and free US shipping on your Almond Cow, use code ALLTHEVERDURE at checkout!

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Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup raw pecans

• 1/4 cup raw pepitas

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or flavoring

• 1/4 tsp each: ground nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger

• 1.5 L filtered water

• 3 pitted dates

Method:

1. Soak the pecans and pepitas submerged in water for 1-3 hours, then discard the soaking water and rinse them in fresh water

2. Add the filtered water, vanilla and spices to the base of the Almond Cow

3. Put the pecans, pepitas and dates in the metal canister of the Almond Cow before securely twisting on the top with the blade

4. Place the top onto the base before pressing the cow button once to start the "milking" process

5. Wait for the light to stop blinking, then press the button again (this particular recipe does better with two complete rounds of "milking")

6. Once the second round finished and the light stops blinking, pour your milk out of the base

7. Store the pulp from the metal canister separately

8. Use both for recipes such as: the Ginger Turmeric Pumpkin Smoothie, Creamy Vanilla Fig Oats and Adaptogenic Matcha Latte.

Use Code ALLTHEVERDURE at checkout for $15 off and free US shipping!

Warming Spice Gut Healing Tonic

One of the issues I am always working on is my gut health. After spending years of dealing with digestive issues, I have finally found ingredients that help with calming my digestive system. I love tonics like this because they are also calming to make and sip, further aiding in quelling my digestive distress.

This recipe includes many of these calming and healing ingredients. They are blended in a creamy, comforting drink with warming spices that are known to increase the flow of qi in the body. Coconut butter not only tastes incredible, but is an anti-inflammatory ingredient along with ginger, cinnamon and turmeric, which combined do wonders for digestion. Adding a bit of ground black pepper to the drink before and/or after blending, activates the turmeric and makes it more effective. 

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Ingredients for 1 Tonic:

• 1 cup hot boiling

• 1 cup coconut milk (simple without gums if possible)

• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1 pinch of ground black pepper

• Optional: one serving of collagen peptides

Method:

• Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend on high for 1 minute

• Pour into a mug and sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon and ground black pepper on top before enjoying (pepper activates the turmeric so be sure to add a pinch before and/or after blending!)

Find even more gut healing ingredients in my Good Gut Fuel E-Book!

Raspberry Leaf Coconut Tonic

Raspberry leaf is a girl's best friend! Seriously though, who would have thought the leaves of one of our favorite fruits would be so powerful? It's benefits to the female reproductive system are most commonly recognized as helpful during pregnancy, and you will find it in "pregnancy teas" in the tea aisle, however- these same benefits are helpful to us women at all stages of our reproductive lives. 

Raspberry Leaf has been known to:

• Alleviate symptoms of PMS

• Improve fertility

• Decrease pregnancy complications

This recipe includes a few of my other favorite women's health ingredients. Collagen peptides help make this tonic creamy and are known by many cultures for the wonders they do for your skin. When I was in Hong Kong, I saw collagen everywhere and learned that women steep a traditional collagen tea every morning for their skin health. Besides it benefitting our bones, hair, teeth and joint, it also is said to reduce cellulite and stretch marks. I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder in my smoothies and tonics including this one. 

Coconut butter is such a delicious compliment to the raspberry leaf! It makes the tonic extra frothy and in regards to women's healthy- it contains iron, which many of us are deficient of. Additionally, the "good fat" in coconut oil has been said to aid in balancing hormones. Vanilla and almond extract give the tonic flavor and cinnamon adds an extra kick while helping to stabilize blood sugar. Adding any additional adaptogens will bring further benefits based on your personal needs. I add reishi to it because that is my go to anxiety relief adaptogen but you can add pine pollen or ashwaganda to aid in additional hormonal balance. Please note, as I have shared many times, I am not a nutritionist or doctor and am sharing knowledge that I have gained through my own research. 

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Ingredients:

• 2 c hot water

• 2 tbsp melted coconut butter

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 10-20 g collagen peptides (remove for vegan option)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp almond extract

• 1 raspberry leaf tea bag (I like this Yogi Tea) or 1 tbsp loose raspberry leaf

• Optional: adaptogens such as reishi (anxiety relief) or ashwaganda/pine pollen (hormone balancing)

Method:

• Warm up water for the tea while warming up the coconut butter. Put coconut butter jar in a bath of warm water for about 10 minutes to melt

• Steep the raspberry leaf tea for 6-8 minutes

• Combine the tea and remaining ingredients in a high speed blender

• Blend on high and pour into a mug, top with a little extra cinnamon and enjoy

Superfood Hot Chocolate

Superfood Hot Chocolate

This fun variation of the classic cup of cocoa is packed with delicious and beneficial superfoods! Create a cozy mug filled with antioxidants, omega-6 and omega-3sand healthy fats!

Notes:

• Hemp seeds are an additional superfood to add protein and omegas. You can eliminate or sub another superfood of your choice.

• Date/maple syrup are options for natural sweetness, but both can be combined for those with a sweeter tooth!

• Coconut milk can have extra fillers to thicken and sweeten. When possible, find a "simple" option with just coconut.

• You could try adding a few drops of peppermint extract or flavor to make it festive for the holidays!

Want more plant-based versions of your seasonal favorites? Download my FREE Feel-Good Holiday Recipe Guide!

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Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tbsp raw shelled hemp seeds

• 1 cup full fat coconut milk

• 1 pitted date OR 1 tsp maple syrup

• 1 cup boiling water

Method:

1. Combine and blend all ingredients on high in a blender for about a minute

2. Pour in a mug and sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top

Try pairing the Superfood Hot Chocolate with these Easy Plant-Based Holiday Treats or any of the other recipes from my Feel-Good Holiday Recipe Guide!

Sparkling Basil Berry Lemonade

To me, the ultimate symbol of great balance is when I can come up with a way to enjoy an indulgence while also being mindful of my health. Not that this is necessary- balance can also come from not worrying about what is in an indulging treat and finding time to just enjoy baked goods and cocktails, but when you can do it all, thats always a win. 

My home away from home in Louisville is the Lifebar Vegan juice bar and cafe. I feel totally spoiled by how unique and awesome it is. When I used to travel here prior to moving, I longed to have something similar in DC. I still have not in any of my juice bar/vegan experiences in any city found something quite like it. The owners value ingredients like none other. They use only organic ingredients and local when possible. They also only use premium grade superfoods and adaptogens. The depth of knowledge of the employees is also unique. Each drink or food is made with intention and clear health benefits for not just nutrition but immunity and vitality.

In the Summer elixir line, there is a Basil Berry Lemonade that immediately screamed cocktail to me as soon as I tried it. It is so refreshing and flavorful and makes you want to be on a beach. Try combining these ingredients at home to make your own cocktail- or if you live in Louisville- head on over and grab a bottle of Basil Berry Lemonade and Prosecco and call it a day!

Basil, coconut water and berries always make me feel like Summer

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Ingredients:

• 1 bunch fresh basil

• Strawberries

• Lemons

• 1 bottle prosecco

• Agave nectar (optional)

• Coconut Water

Method:

• For two servings: blend a handful of basil, 2 cups coconut water, juice of a lemon, 1 tsp agave nectar, 6 strawberries until completely smooth and liquid.

• Pour into glasses. Top with prosecco to desired amount. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!

Adaptogenic Matcha Latte

Adaptogens make great natural remedies for countless physical and mental problems. They can be easily incorporated into a variety of recipes, most commonly smoothies, but also baked goods, soups and other foods/drinks.

In this recipe, I combine the popular matcha latte with an adaptogen latte, making an extra powerful potion to start the day with or use as an afternoon pick me up. Coconut or almond butter is a great ingredient that thickens the latte and helps it foam up a bit after being blended. I have selected euccomia, reishi and maca because of their calming and hormone balancing effects for me. There are tons of different adaptogens and herbs out there. Choose your favorites based on your personal needs.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashew milk (I like to make my own by soaking raw cashews for 2+ hrs, rinsing them then blending them with fresh water)

• 1 cup hot water

• 1 tsp matcha powder (energizing, mood balancing and good source of antioxidants)

• 1 tsp maca

• 1/2 tsp euccomia or other adaptogen of choice

• 1/2 tsp reishi or other adaptogen of choice

• 1 tbsp coconut or almond Butter

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• Optional Sweetener: 1 pitted date or tsp of raw honey

Method:

1. Boil hot water in tea kettle or in a pot- once it comes to a boil, let it sit so it cools down a tiny bit before later adding to blender

2. Blend all ingredients

3. Taste to see if you need more sweetener or hot water- microwaving will disrupt the benefits of the matcha and adaptogens so add more hot water from the stove and blend to increase temp